Radical Unlearning: The Art and Science of Creating Change from Within

by Lewis Raven Wallace

A road map for rewiring our brains to unlearn harmful beliefs, heal broken bonds, and transform our communities

“An intimate text on how we really change, deep underneath it all. Give this book to everyone you love who is stuck in a heartbreaking worldview.”—adrienne maree brown, author of Loving Corrections and Emergent Strategy

FINALIST FOR THE PUBLISHING TRIANGLE'S AMBER HOLLIBAUGH AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITING (2026)

The beliefs that hold us back—inherited prejudices, self-limiting thoughts, destructive patterns—often feel permanent. But what if they're not? In Radical Unlearning, you’ll learn about how neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural pathways—plays a key role in how we learn (and unlearn) behaviors and biases. Journalist and activist Lewis Raven Wallace likens the process to how footpaths are created by countless people walking the same route over years. We can choose to disrupt existing neural connections, to create new paths that lead to meaningful change.

Weaving personal stories with scientific research, Wallace shows how anyone can break free from harmful patterns and beliefs, no matter how deeply ingrained. This book invites you to begin your own unlearning journey with practical exercises and reflection questions. It includes insights from people who have fundamentally changed their worldviews such

A former white nationalist who is now a transgender anti-racist activistAn ex-Israeli soldier who has transformed into a radical anti-Zionist advocateWallace’s own grandmother, who overcame decades of racism and transphobia in her 80s
Our mental patterns don't just affect us—they shape how we treat others and form the foundation of larger social problems. Radical Unlearning is a road map for collective healing and growth, proof that transformation flourishes in community. With this book, you'll learn how to let go of harmful beliefs and practice new ways of thinking that foster connection, empathy, and justice.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Social Justice, Audiobook, Personal Growth, Psychology, Education

264 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Lewis Raven Wallace is an award-winning independent journalist based in Durham, North Carolina, the abolition journalism fellow at Interrupting Criminalization, and a cofounder of Press On, a Southern movement journalism collective. His book and podcast, The View from Somewhere, focus on undoing the myth of “objectivity” in journalism and uplifting stories of marginalized journalists; his second book, Radical Unlearning, is a joyful and science-backed guide to creating the conditions to let go of deeply held, harmful beliefs. He previously worked for public radio’s Marketplace, WYSO, and WBEZ. Lewis is white and transgender, and was born and raised in the Midwest with deep roots in the South.

Reviews

[Annalise Kraines · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. An authentic and accessible guide to tenderly guiding others and ourselves to new patterns of thinking— both deconstructing and reconstructing. There was LOTS of practical and grounding advice and processes! However Wallace makes it clear that unlearning is a process that must be chosen, never forced. Wallace is generous with his story and incredibly humble, making him an excellent guide to this process. It was definitely a partisan book, but I really appreciated the stories of folks recovering from MAGA-adjacent beliefs.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book on how we can make change in our society and ourselves to bring about more wholeness and justice in our lives. In our polarized world where (most) days making change feels like swimming upstream, this book reminds us that connection, vulnerability, community, art, and love are in fact the most powerful prerequisites for change and growth. I loved the mix of nonfiction research, personal testimonies, interviews with changemakers from around the globe, and the author's personal story. Read it in a book club with your coworkers, friends, and/or neighbors if you can.

[Dayna Sipila · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great takeaways in this book— I listened to the audiobook on my walks and during breakfast in the morning. In these times, it inspired me to do what I can to spark curiosity in others. We can always change minds, but we can encourage others to be curious. We can hear them without having to agree, and to drop seeds of hope for change in all different spaces. 🩷